7 Jul

Should I Get A Collar Or A Harness For My Dog? Dog collars versus dog harnesses, the pros and cons

Pulling on the lead is a very common complaint form dog owners who find it frustrating, not at all enjoyable and very often exhausting if not painful. However, seeing how intensely dogs can pull, often wheezing and coughing while doing so as their trachea is compressed, it must be pretty raw for the dog, too. Such is the power of conditioned responses in animals, such as dogs (“the only way to get this human to get to the park quickly is to literally drag her there!” or “wow! I smell squirrels - this feels uncomfortable on my neck but - squirrels!”).

There are many types of collar and many types of harness - some good but many bad. Few seem to have understood the anatomy of the dog in order to find the most comfortable and safest fit for the harness (taking into consideration the distribution of weight, load and anatomical position of various structures). It is now generally accepted, thankfully, that choke chains are not good but interestingly the shiny, aggressive look of the metal linked chain seems to have overshadowed the “slip lead” - which is simply a rope version of the check chain. With either collar/lead you’re creating a noose around the dog’s neck: when it pulls, it gets strangled.

Identification is important and legal in many areas of the world so I’d absolutely recommend a collar of some sort which the dog can wear the whole time, with its identification tag secured to at all times. Many people prefer leather collars which last a lifetime and can be kept as a memento when they pass on and others, like me, prefer the convenience of a lightweight, washable collar made of durable webbing. Either way you should opt for a broad, thicker collar rather than something slim; like a piece of rope, it will cut into the dog’s neck. It’s worth pointing out, for balance, that harnesses can have an identification tag added t them, too.

So, for walking and exercising, a harness is absolutely better. There is plenty of research to demonstrate why and renowned dog trainers such as Turid Rugaas who have not only spent many years researching the benefits of a harness but Rugaas was also involved in designing the best harness on the market: anatomically complimentary, safe and comfortable. They’re handmade in Italy and the company are so proud and confident of their products, they offer a 5 year guarantee. The myth about dogs pulling more with a harness is just that - I’ve seen plenty of dogs that pull equally well while wearing a collar! If you do prefer a collar, however, spend time training your dog not to pull, invest in a long lead which allows him to roam and exhibit natural doggy behaviours and don’t put pressure on the lead and in turn the dog’s collar. A harness of course is much safer for this reason; if you need to restrain or apply pressure, it is evenly distributed around the thorax and, as this research demonstrates, eliminates the main damage which is caused by wearing a collar.

The Science Bit
In 2006, the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association published a research paper entitled: “Effects of the Application of Neck Pressure by a Collar of Harness on Intraocular Pressure (ed: the cavity behind the eye) in Dogs”. The paper stated:
“The effect on intraocular pressure (IOP) from dogs pulling against a collar or harness was evaluated in 51 eyes of 26 dogs. The force each dog generated while pulling against a collar or a harness was measured. Intraocular pressure measurements were obtained during application of corresponding pressures via collars and harnesses. Intraocular pressure increased significantly from baseline when pressure was applied via collar but not via a harness. Based on the results of the study, dogs with a weak or thin cornea, glaucoma, or conditions for which an increase in IOP could be harmful should wear a harness instead of a collar, especially during exercise or activity.”

Download the full paper here.